Paper fastener



H. D. SNYDER June 12, 1934.

PAPER FASTENER Filed Oct. 27 1.933

"' INVENTOR BY W.

wm a w ATTO R N EYS Patented June 12, 1934 STATES Application October 27,

15 Claims.

This invention relates to paper fasteners of the type which are provided with a base and projecting prongs and a keeper or compressor adapted to engage the prongs and over which the latter are bent to secure a file of papers or the like.

Such fasteners have been manufactured heretofore in varying lengths with prongs also varying in length to meet the requirement of files of different dimensions. The manufacturer has found it necessary to manufacture and stock large quantities of such paper fasteners of varying dimensions, and the stationer or dealer is required to stock the various sizes to meet the requirements of the trade.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a paper fastener in which separable prong members having projecting tongues may be readily adjusted to various positions, such prong members being also interchangeable and variable as to length so that the fastener may be employed successfully with files of differing dimensions.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood by reference to the following specification and accompanying drawing, in which Fig. l is a view in perspective of a compressor embodying the invention; 7

Fig. 2 is a similar viewillustrating a base and prong members adapted to co-operate with the compressor;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. '2;

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of one of the prong members with its supporting web;

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of a base and prong members embodying a slightly modified form of the invention;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged view inperspective of another modification of the invention; and

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawing, 5 indicates the base which may be made of any suitable material, preferably mild steel. The base is provided with inturned edges 6 forming channels to receive the webs 7 of a plurality of prong members having projecting tongues 8. The base is provided preferably at its ends with projections 9 which are adapted to limit the movement of the webs in the channels and to prevent escape thereof from the base. An opening 10 in one of the channels permits insertion of the webs so that two or more and preferably three prong members may be assembled with the base. The prong members may 1933, Serial No. 695,452

be adjusted longitudinally of the base to cooperate with openings in a file of papers and with corresponding openings 11 in a compressor 12. The compressor 12 is made of any suitable material, preferably mild steel, and is provided with ribs 13 extending longitudinally thereof to afford the required stiffness. A plurality of sliding locks 14 are mounted on the compressor and are adapted to engage the tongues 8 when the latter are inserted through selected openings 11 and bent into the space between the ribs 13. The ends of the compressor 15 are slightly flared to prevent escape of the sliding locks therefrom.

As will be readily understood, the prong members may be. adjusted longitudinally of the base 5 r by sliding the webs '7 so that they will co-operate with selected openings 11 in the compressor. Consequently the fastener may be adjusted to meet the requirements of the file. The centrally disposed prong member may be eliminated, if desired, or additional prong members may be inserted in the base to provide further security.

In Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawing, I have illustrated a modification in which the base 16 is provided with inturned edges 17 to receive webs 18.

The latter are slotted at 19 and 20 so that the of varying lengths are interchangeable with the base, so that thinner or thicker files may be accommodated readily.

In another modification of the invention illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawing, the base 24 consists of a strip of any suitable material such as mild steel with ribs 25 thereon similar to the compressor 12. A number of slidable webs 26 may be supported on the base by turning the edges over the lateral edges thereof, as clearly indicated in Fig. 8. Tongues 2'7 with horizontal portions 28 are adapted to be slipped beneath the webs and are held in the desired position by projections 29. Projections 30 at the ends of the base prevent escape of the prong members therefrom. In this form of the invention, as in the llO ings such as the openings 11 in the compressor 12, the ends of the tongues being secured by the locks 14 of the compressor.

The invention as described affords a simple and satisfactory paper fastener of the type mentioned, and permits a wide Variation of the dimentions of the file, utilizing the same base and compressor with prong members having tongues of varying lengths interchangeably and adjustably arranged on the base. The necessity for manufacturing and stocking quantities of paper fasteners of varying dimensions is thus avoided.

Various changes may be made in the form arrangement and construction of the parts without departing from the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

I claim:

1. In a paper fastener, a base, and tongues removably and slidably supported on the base, the adjustment of the tongues longitudinally of the base permitting use thereof in selected spaced relation.

2. In a paper fastener, a base, and prong members comprising webs co-operating with the base and tongues projecting therefrom, removably and slidably supported on the base, the adjustment of the prong members longitudinally of the base permitting use thereof in selected spaced relation.

3. In a paper fastener, a base, and prong members comprising Webs co-operating with the base and separable tongues projecting therefrom, removably and adjustably supported on the base, the adjustment of the prong members longitudinally. of the base permitting use thereof 'in selected spaced relation.

4. In a paper fastener, a base, and prong members comprising webs co-operating with the base and tongues projecting therefrom, removably and adjustably supported on the base, the adjustment of the prong members longitudinally of the base permitting use thereof in selected spaced relation, the webs having slots to receive the tongues whereby the latter are separable.

5. In a paper fastener, a base, members slidably supported on the base, and tongues adapted to engage and to be held by the sliding members in adjusted position on the base.

6. In a paper fastener, a base having inturned lateral edges forming channels, and prong members removably and adjustably engaging the channels, the adjustment of the prong members longitudinally of the base permitting use thereof in selected spaced relation.

'3. In a paper fastener, a base having inturned lateral edges forming channels, and prong members comprising webs removably and adjustably engaging the channels and tongues projecting from the webs, the adjustment of the prong members longitudinally of the base permitting use thereof in selected spaced relation.

8. In a paper fastener, a base having inturned lateral edges forming channels, and prong members comprising webs removably and adjustably engaging the channels and separable tongues projecting from the webs, the adjustment of the prong members longitudinally of the base permitting use thereof in selected spaced relation.

9. In a paper fastener, a base having inturned lateral edges forming channels, and prong members comprising webs removably and adjustably engaging the channels, the webs having slots to receive the tongues whereby the latter are separable, the adjustment of the prong members longitudinally of the base permitting use thereof in selected spaced relation.

10. In a paper fastener, a base, members slidably supported on the base, and tongues adapted to engage and to be held by the sliding members in adjusted position on the base, the tongues having projections at one end to abut the slidably supported members.

11. In a paper fastener, a base, and tongues removably and adjustably supported on the base, the adjustment of the tongues longitudinally of the base permitting use thereof in selected spaced relation, a compressor having a plurality of spaced openings to receive the tongues selectively, and slidable means on the compressor to engage and hold the ends of the tongues.

12. In a paper fastener, a base, and prong members comprising webs co-operating with the base and tongues projecting therefrom, removably and adjustably supported on the base, the adjustment of the prong members longitudinally of the base permitting use thereof in selected spaced relation, a compressor having a plurality of spaced openings to receive the tongues selectively, and slidable means on the compressor to engage and hold the ends of the tongues.

13. In a paper fastener, a base, and prong members comprising webs oo-operating with the base and separable tongues projecting therefrom, removably and adjustably supported on the base, the adjustment of the prong members longitudinally of the base permitting use thereof in selected spaced relation, a compressor having a plurality of spaced openings to receive the tongues selectively, and slidable means on the compressor to engage and hold the ends of the tongues.

14. In a paper fastener, a'base, and prong members comprising webs co-operating with the base and tongues projecting therefrom, removably and adjustably supported on the base, the adjustment of the prong members longitudinally of the base permitting use thereof in selected spaced relation, the webs having slots to receive the tongues whereby the latter are separable, a compressor having a plurality of spaced openings to receive the tongues selectively, and slidable means on the compressor to engage and hold the ends of the tongues.

15. In a paper fastener, a base, members slidably supported on the base, and tongues adapted to engage and to be held by the sliding members in adjusted position on the base, a compressor having a plurality of spaced openings to receive the tongues selectively, and slidable means on the compressor to engage and hold the ends of the tongues.

HARRY D. SNYDER. 

